About St. Thomas More · Baton Rouge, Louisiana
St. Thomas More Catholic Church and School is a thriving parish community in the Sherwood Forest area of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, officially declared in 1958 and built on the initiative of about 25 laymen who carpooled to Our Lady of Mercy Church. Today the parish — its patron is the English lay-saint Sir Thomas More — ministers through more than 65 active ministries, a K-8 elementary school, and a Preschool/Early Learning Center, all guided by its mission to 'guide, inspire, and serve.' It belongs to the Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge and is pastored by Rev. Edwin J. 'Fr. Eddie' Martin.
- Established
- 1958
- Patron
- St. Thomas More
- Rector
- Rev. Edwin J. "Fr. Eddie" Martin
- Diocese
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Baton Rouge
Why belong here
St. Thomas More welcomes all to a parish that sees itself as both a spiritual home and something more — an inclusive community of more than 65 active ministries spanning nursing-home visits, Bereavement support, youth ministry, OCIA/OCIC, a St. Vincent de Paul conference, choir, ushers, and an active interfaith outreach. With an on-site PK3–8th-grade Catholic school, an Early Learning Center, and a thriving liturgical life (weekday Masses, three Sunday Masses, plus a Saturday Vigil), the parish offers families a single campus where faith, formation and fellowship grow together.
Mass times at St. Thomas More
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Wednesdays 11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m.
- Thursdays 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
- Saturdays 3:15 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
- Also by appointment
Parish History & Founding
St. Thomas More was officially declared a parish in 1958, born from the initiative of about 25 laymen who in early 1958 began discussing a new church community east of the Florida Boulevard–Airline Highway intersection. The Archdiocese of New Orleans purchased an 11.9- to 12-acre site in the developing Sherwood Forest subdivision. Father Andrew Frey was named pastor on June 29, 1959; the first Masses were held at Villa Del Rey Elementary School and in the new rectory chapel. Archbishop Rummel dedicated the original church on August 7, 1960.
- 1958 – Parish officially declared
- 1959 – Fr. Andrew Frey named first pastor (June 29)
- 1960 – Original church dedicated August 7 by Archbishop Rummel
- 1960 – School opens September 12 to ~800 students
- 1966 – St. Louis King of France becomes first daughter parish
- 1974 – St. Patrick Parish carved from STM
- 1975 – St. Jean Vianney carved from STM
- 1982 – St. Thomas More Preschool founded
- 1987 – Present church dedicated February 15 by Bishop Stanley Joseph Ott under Msgr. William Greene
- 1988 – Original church remodeled into school gymnasium (March)
Mission, Values & Identity
The parish frames its identity around the tagline 'To Guide. To Inspire. To Serve.' It is described as 'One STM' — the combined body of parishioners, students, educators and visitors who accept responsibility to serve others. Its core values include stepping up to help those in need, creating a Catholic community that guides, inspires and serves, embracing an inclusive atmosphere, and making a real difference in the community.
- Mission: To guide. To inspire. To serve.
- One STM ethos linking parish, school, and families
- Values: service, inclusion, community, real-world impact
- Over 65 active parish ministries
Faith Formation & Sacramental Preparation
Faith Formation at St. Thomas More is led by Sarah Neau (Faith Formation/Liturgy) and runs programs for children and adults seeking full initiation into the Church, as well as ongoing religious education for school-age children not enrolled in the parish school.
- Parish School of Religion (PSR)
- Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA)
- Order of Christian Initiation of Children (OCIC)
- Family sacramental preparation coordinated through the parish office
Youth, Music & Liturgical Ministries
Liturgical and youth life at STM is organized under the parish's Worship & Word area. The Parish Choir leads music at Mass, while youth in grades 5–8 gather monthly in the parish activity center for STM Youth Gatherings.
- Parish Choir (Music Director on staff)
- Youth Ministry — monthly STM Youth Gatherings for grades 5–8
- Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion
- Ushers
- Décor Committee
Outreach & Service Ministries
Outreach is one of the four Pastoral Council areas and includes corporal works of mercy such as feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, and supporting families through bereavement. The parish participates in the Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge.
- St. Vincent de Paul Conference — teams cook and serve an evening meal monthly at one of three Bishop Ott Shelter locations
- Nursing Home Ministry serving Capital House, Flannery Oaks, and Guest House Care Center (weekly Communion, visits, seasonal celebrations); contact Deacon Paul Soileau
- Bereavement Ministry — liturgical and hospitality support for funerals
- Interfaith Ministry — liaison with the Interfaith Federation of Greater Baton Rouge
- Manna Givers
Parish Administration & Councils
Parish life is coordinated through two advisory councils. The Pastoral Council oversees four areas of parish life — Community, Evangelization, Outreach, and Worship & Word — and includes the pastor, parochial vicars, staff liaisons, two lay trustees, and area council members. The Finance Council is appointed by the pastor to oversee parish budgets.
- Pastoral Council members: Nela Drouin, Birnie Dupuy, Frank Fresina, Andrea Sides, Matt Tessier (Chair), Tiffany Trascher, Dary Glueck (Trustee), Gary Littlefield (Trustee), Fr. Eddie Martin (Pastor), Deacon Paul Soileau
- Finance Council members: Fr. Eddie Martin (Ex Officio), Dane Bailey, Dary Glueck, Sarah Neau (Ex Officio), Gary Littlefield, Sal Quartararo
- Communications/Secretary: Mrs. Mallory Sollie
Clergy
The parish is currently pastored by Rev. Edwin J. 'Fr. Eddie' Martin, assisted by two permanent deacons. Deacon Paul Soileau additionally serves as the diocese's Director of Deacon Life & Ministry and Bishop's Liaison for the BR ACTS Mission Chapter.
- Fr. Eddie Martin — Pastor ([email protected] / [email protected]; 225-275-3970)
- Deacon Paul Soileau — Permanent Deacon
- Deacon Joe Scimeca — Permanent Deacon
St. Thomas More Catholic School
The parish school serves students from PK3 through 8th grade at 11400 Sherbrook Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70815 (225-275-2820; fax 225-275-0376). It opened its doors on September 12, 1960 to roughly 800 students and remains a central ministry of the parish. The Early Learning Center extends the parish's educational mission to infants through two-year-olds.
- Grades PK3 through 8th grade
- STM ACCESS Special Education program
- Early Learning Center (infants, one-year-olds, toddlers, two-year-olds)
- School Advisory Board: Fr. Eddie Martin (Pastor), Ashley McDaniel (Principal), Ellen Whitfield (President), Dane Bailey, Katie Castille, Elijah Holland, Andrew Murrell (Past President)
- Admissions contact: [email protected]; application fee $80
- Tuition priority given to children of registered Catholic parishioners within the designated school district; non-Catholic students admitted with agreement to participate in religious education
Visit, Register & Contact
Parish membership is not a requirement to participate in the St. Thomas More community, though all are invited and encouraged to register. A downloadable Parish Registration Form is available on the website. Office hours for the parish are Monday–Thursday 8 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1 p.m.–5 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m.–12 p.m.; school office hours are Monday–Friday 7:15 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
- Church address: 11441 Goodwood Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA 70815 — (225) 275-3940
- School address: 11400 Sherbrook Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70815 — (225) 275-2820 (fax 225-275-0376)
- Parish office hours: Mon–Thu 8 a.m.–12 p.m. & 1–5 p.m.; Fri 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Downloadable Parish Registration Form on stmbr.org
- Mass Intention Request Form available; sanctuary candle stipend $20; weekend altar flower arrangements $75–$125
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Andrew Frey1959–
Founding pastor; named by Archbishop Rummel on June 29, 1959
- Msgr. William Greene
Pastor in the 1980s under whose leadership the new church was built and dedicated Feb. 15, 1987; old church converted to gymnasium by March 1988